If you make a World Team of any sort in the United States, there are two things that are for certain: 1) Barring injury, you’ll be wrestling at the World Championships and 2) There will be camps to attend.

That second part is precisely where we’re at now, as members of the 2017 US Senior Greco-Roman World Team are currently in (the apparently picturesque) Eagle Creek, Oregon. The physical goal for the “Base Training Camp” is for the team members to build their cardiovascular systems up just enough to where they are prepared for the more rigorous parts of the pre-Paris training phase, which will intensify as August draws nearer. Of course, that is not the only objective. In addition, Team USA’s time in Eagle Creek will be used for camaraderie, and there are a litany of activities on the horizon the next two weeks for that very purpose.

Along with the workouts and circuit training that are scheduled, there will also be a seminar at US National Team head coach Matt Lindland’s famous MMA gym, Team Quest, on Saturday, May 20th.

The 6,000 square foot home in which Team USA will be staying has ponds on the property, meaning that anyone who brings a rod and some jigs is welcome to fish whenever time allows. There is also a creek for those who might want to paddle board or swim. This is starting to sound like heaven probably.

Here is an example of what a typical day at the the 2017 US Senior Greco-Roman World Team “Base Training Camp” looks like:

Yes, there will be work getting done. For sure. Wrestlers were told to bring jump ropes, several pairs of shoes, wrestling shoes, and their own bands. But the setup looks and sounds pretty sweet for what the goals are. If you remember, back in January Coach Lindland said the theme for this quad was “guys in the boat”, a unifying decree based around each athlete in the program being there for one another while bettering themselves. Well, here’s the first World Team camp for 2017 and it looks like that concept is in full-swing already.

We will have more on the camp as it progresses, so stay tuned.

Iran Blasts Through New Delhi

The 2017 Asian Championships wrapped up this weekend and Iran put forth an(other) big-time performance. Seven medalists overall with four champions sweeping the last four weight classes is about as strong as you can get. But there were a couple (literally) of other highlight-worthy showings. Kenichiro Fumita (JPN,world no. 4) defeated the usually-exciting Mirambek Ainagulov (KAZ) in a rather lackluster 2-1 final at 59 kilograms, but before that he waxed Saman Abdouvali (IRI) 9-3. Fumita is a hectic machine who chain-scores as well as anyone at this weight, so it’s not him winning that is surprising, just the fact he is staying on book fairly easily at events of this size.

Last year’s Asian Championships winner and 2014 World bronze medalist Afshin Byabangard (71 kg, IRI) looked like he was going to repeat but was upended by another rising Japanese stud, Takeshi Izumi 2-1. However, from 80 kilos on it was all Iran. Ramin Taherisartang (world no. 6) picked up his third Asian Championships gold. At 85 kilos, popular Hossein Nouri turned back Atsushi Matsumoto (JPN) 4-2. 2017 Takhti Cup winner Seyedmosta Salehizadeh tech’ed in his final and at 130, Behnam Mehdizadeh Arya prevailed over
Damir Kuzembayev(KAZ) 3-1. Full finals results are below.

We will be providing updates on the Senior World Team camp in Oregon as they arrive. There should be some cool stuff coming eventually.

There will be a Coach Lindland’s Report, but don’t expect it until the end of this first week.

The Ellis Coleman interview is up. You really need to check this out. As one of the stars in the sport from a young age, everyone knows how gifted of a wrestler Coleman has been. Injuries threatened to derail his trajectory, but he is now back to his old self again, which is very, very good news for the USA in Paris. After reading this thing, you’ll want to throw someone, hug your kids, and wave the American flag, but not necessarily in that order.

Episode 3 of “The Five Point Move Podcast” with special guest Joe Betterman is also up (and embedded below). Everything from the World Team Trials and a few individual performances to weight-cutting and the virtues of the correct hold are covered. Betterman is always a great voice to listen to when it comes to Greco so if that’s your thing, you won’t want to miss some of his entertaining takes.

Since Beat the Streets is not including Greco this year, obviously, we’re not covering it. But we should have something about that sooner or later anyway.